Book Review: How to Make Books
I read this book cover to cover on a day when I had a lot of other things I was supposed to be doing. It's GREAT. If you have ever been interested in making your own books, or curious about how to use handmade books, this book offers many great projects and ideas. The design of this book is also inspiring; the text layout, instructional drawings, and photographs will make you want to grab the nearest piece of paper and start drawing.
There is also an emphasis on using materials that you have around, recycling other materials into books, and experimentation. Handmade things don't have to be perfect, and making mock-ups and practicing techniques with scrap materials can lead to a more beautiful finished product and build confidence.
My favorite part was the mix of clear instruction on traditional book-making techniques, and the adaptation of these techniques into very contemporary and accessible projects.
I can't wait to give some of the projects in this book a try, and I know it will be a book I return to again and again for specific techniques. I hope to carry this book in the shop at some point in the near future.